Endangered and Threatened Species in Pennsylvania

Amphibians and reptiles

Bog turtle.

Rosie Walunas/USFWS

At only about four inches long, the bog turtle (Clemmys (Glyptemys) muhlenbergii) is North America’s smallest turtle. This federally threatened species lives in a mosaic of open spring-fed wetlands, including herbaceous sedge meadows and fens bordered by wooded areas. Sunny, open areas of wetlands provide the warmth needed to regulate the turtle’s body temperature and incubate its eggs, while soft muddy areas allow turtles to escape from predators and extreme temperatures. More on the bog turtle.

Eastern massasauga.

Credit: Dick Dickinson/USFWS

The eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Massasaugas are small venomous snakes with thick bodies, heart-shaped heads and vertical pupils. Populations of this snake have declined so much that it is now necessary to work to conserve it or it could go extinct in the future. More about this snake.

Birds

Piping plover.

USFWS

The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small, stocky, sandy-colored bird resembling a sandpiper. Piping plovers are found along the entire Atlantic coast in open, sandy habitat on outer beaches, where they feed and nest. Its current decline is attributed to increased development and recreational use of beaches. The most recent surveys place the Atlantic population at less than 2000 pairs. In a recent survey in the Bahamas, biologists counted more than 1,000 individual piping plovers, distinguishing the Bahamas as hosting the second-highest wintering population in the world. More on the piping plover.

Fish

Shortnose sturgeon.

Credit: USFWS

The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is the smallest of the three sturgeon species that occur in eastern North America. These bony fish can grow just over 4.5 feet and are found in a variety of river and estuary habitats. One partially landlocked population is known in the Holyoke Pool on the Connecticut River in Massachusetts. Dams, pollution, discharges and dredging have resulted in less habitat or reduced the quality of habitat.

Mammals

Indiana bat

Credit: Ann Froschauer/USFWS

The Indiana bat(Myotis sodalis) hibernates in caves in dense clusters of about 300 bats per square foot. They require an average winter temperature below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in their winter roosting caves, which are called hibernacula. In the summer they also roost in colonies in cracks or crevices or under loose bark of trees. Females raise up to one offspring (called a pup) per year, born in June or July. Indiana bats are found across most of the eastern half of the U.S. This species was listed in 1967 due to episodes of people disturbing the hibernating bats in caves during winter. Other threats that have contributed to the Indiana bat's decline include commercialization of caves, loss of summer habitat, pesticides and other contaminants, and most recently, the disease known as white-nose syndrome. More about this bat.

Mussels and other invertebrates

Clubshell.

Credit: USFWS

The endangered clubshell (Pleurobema clava) will bury itself under up to four inches of clean, loose sand and gravel in small rivers and creeks. This freshwater mussel was once found from Michigan to Alabama and from Illinois to Pennsylvania. It’s now known in parts of only 12 streams in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In addition to pollution and extensive impoundments, the fast-spreading exotic zebra mussel threatens this species. Past extensive die-offs of this mussel in the Mississippi River drainage remain a mystery. Mussels like the clubshell require clean water, and their decline often signals a decline in the water quality of streams and rivers. More about this mussel.

Dwarf wedgemussel.

Credit: Susi von Oettingen/USFWS

The endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) lives in streams along the Atlantic Coast from New Hampshire to North Carolina. Collection, poor water quality and deteriorating habitat conditions led to its decline and continue to threaten remaining populations. Specific causes include impoundments, dredged, channelized or altered stream channels (i.e., mining, bank stabilization), chemical contaminants, and sedimentation. Their decline often signals a decline in the water quality of streams and rivers. Biologists have focused on working with landowners to improve stream conditions for the species. More about this mussel.

northern riffleshell.

Credit: Susi von Oettingen/USFWS

The northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana) survives in six streams, less than five percent of its former range. Poor water quality and habitat conditions have led to the decline of the species, like many freshwater mussels. Specific causes include impoundments, dredged or altered stream channels, chemical contaminants, mining and sedimentation. Biologists have ongoing efforts to raise the species in captivity and reintroduce it into streams within its historical range. More about this mussel. Photo: northern riffleshell_Angela Boyer USFWS

Pink mucket pearlymussel.

Credit: Susi von Oettingen/USFWS

The endangered pink mucket (Lampsilis orbiculata) mussel has been discovered in the uppermost Ohio River after 75 years of absence, indicating that water quality in this region has improved in recent years. It occurs in isolated stream reaches from Pennsylvania west to Missouri and south to Louisiana. Poor water quality and habitat conditions led to the decline of the pink mucket, like many freshwater mussels. Partners have raised pink mucket mussels in captivity and released them in large streams in several states, including the Clinch River in Virginia. Photo: pink mucket pearlymussel_USFWS.jpg

Rabbitsfoot mussel.

Credit: Georgia Parham/USFWS

The rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica)has been proposed as threatened for protection under the Endangered Species Act. The rabbitsfoot is now found in several dozen streams in 13 states, from Pennsylvania to Missouri and south to Louisiana. Survey data since 1985 shows dramatic declines in its historical range and population size. Poor water quality and habitat conditions have led to the decline of the species, like many freshwater mussels. Specific causes include impoundments, dredged or altered stream channels, chemical contaminants, mining and sedimentation. More on this mussel.

Rayed bean .

Credit: Angela Boyer/USFWS

The endangered rayed bean (Villosa fabalis) is a small freshwater mussel that has been extirpated from Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, but is still found in Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario, Canada. It lives in smaller, headwater creeks, but is sometimes found in large rivers and wave-washed areas of glacial lakes. The rayed bean prefers gravel or sand substrates, and is often found in and around roots of aquatic vegetation. Poor water quality and habitat conditions have led to the decline of the rayed bean, like many freshwater mussels. More about this mussel.

Sheepnose.

Credit: USFWS

The endangered sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) is found in the shallow areas of larger streams across the Midwest and Southeast, including Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Like many mussels, the endangered sheepnose has a complex life cycle with a stage that relies on fish to grow from the larval stage to juvenile mussels. As with many other mussels, poor water quality and habitat conditions have led to the decline of the sheepnose. Specific causes include impoundments, dredged or altered stream channels, chemical contaminants, mining and sedimentation. Mussels require clean water, and their decline often signals a decline in the river’s water quality. More about this mussel.

Snuffbox.

Credit: USFWS

The endangered snuffbox (Epioblasma triquestra) is a small, triangular mussel that has disappeared from the vast majority of the streams in which it was historically found. Poor water quality and habitat conditions have led to the decline of the snuffbox, like many freshwater mussels. Specific causes include impoundments, dredged or altered stream channels, chemical contaminants, mining and sedimentation. Mussels require clean water, and their decline often signals a decline in the river’s water quality. More about this mussel.

Plants

Northeastern bulrush.

Credit: USFWS

A wetland plant first identified in 1962, the northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus) is difficult to find and recognize. In New York, the species was recently rediscovered in 2010 and is only known within a privately owned wetland within a hemlock hardwood forest. The northeastern bulrush is tall, with narrow leaves and a drooping flower head with chocolate brown florets. Threatened by habitat destruction and deterioration of some areas in which it grows, including sinkhole ponds and wet depressions, biologists continue to study the habitat requirements of this plant. More on this plant.

Small whorled pogonia.

Credit: USFWS

The small-whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) is a rare orchid that grows in older hardwood forests of beech, birch, maple, oak and hickory with an open understory. In New York, this species was recently rediscovered in 2010 at a state park in the Hudson Valley. The primary threat to the small-whorled pogonia is the past and continuing loss of habitat due to urban development, logging, and other land disturbances. In New York, threats include deer herbivory and invasive species. And as is the case with all rare orchids, the small-whorled pogonia is vulnerable to collection for commercial and personal use. More on this plant.

Virginia spiraea.

Credit: USFWS

The Virginia spiraea (Spiraea virginiana) is found along stream banks, wetlands and in the Appalachian Plateaus or the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, reaching a mature height of three to ten feet with tightly packed creamy white flowers. Impoundments are a threat to this species because they inundate habitat and stabilize downstream water flow. Other threats include habitat destruction, beaver damage, chemical spills and pollution. More on this plant.